Board addresses CEO’s Performance?
San Bernardino County Board of Supervisors
The San Bernardino County Board of Supervisors
today (November 3rd) directed San
Bernardino County Chief Executive Officer Greg Devereaux to work with the
County’s attorneys to draft by December 15, 2015, policy for the Board’s public
consideration that would prevent a repeat of a recent incident in which the
Board was unaware for several months that the County’s Director of Human
Resources had been arrested for and pleaded guilty to agreeing to engage in
prostitution.
The Board of Supervisors Chairman James Ramos
made it clear that the Board governs the County, takes its role seriously, and
understands that it is accountable to the public for the County’s performance
and for ensuring that problems are addressed appropriately and swiftly.
December 15, 2015,
“This
morning the Board of Supervisors met with the CEO and had a very frank
discussion about the importance of informing the Board of situations that can
have a long-lasting effect on the well-being of the County and the people that
we represent,” Board of
Supervisors Chairman James Ramos said.
“I am
very disappointed by the actions that were committed by the Human Resources
director,” Chairman Ramos added. “However, what is important here are the
lessons that we take away from a situation like this one. The strength of any
organization lies in the ability of its leaders to continue to work together in
both favorable and adverse times.”
The Board
met with Mr. Devereaux in closed session prior to today’s public Board meeting
to express its concern about not being informed sooner about the Human
Resource director’s arrest and conviction.
“I
apologize to the Board, the County’s employees, and the people of the county
for the way I handled this situation. I realize this placed the Board in a difficult
position,” Mr. Devereaux said.
“We have
made great progress in creating a stigma-free work environment, and it
has been many years since our employees – who have won many state and national
awards for their innovative approach to public service – have had to endure an
incident that reflects poorly on the organization,” Mr. Devereaux added.
“The
Board has directed me to work with County Counsel to review the County’s
options regarding the Human Resources director,” Mr. Devereaux said.
“As the
governing body of this County, the Board of Supervisors is held accountable to
the people we represent, and as Chairman I can assure you that we are working
together to bring some resolve to this situation so that we can continue to
move forward,” Chairman Ramos
said.